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Chapter 4 - A Stroll Through Atlantis

After indulging in some of the best street food Atlantis had to offer, Allen, Raviel, and Tiamat continued their leisurely stroll through the city. The streets pulsed with a strange harmony—humans and advanced constructs working side by side, divine energy humming in the air like a silent heartbeat. Allen whistled in admiration, taking in the sights.

"If I didn't know this place was going to be destroyed , I'd say it had real potential."

Raviel, always connected to his thoughts, gave him a knowing look. "If you like it so much, why not save it?"

Tiamat, walking closely beside him, tilted her head. "Master, do you regret knowing what will happen?"

Allen took a bite of the fruit he had bought earlier, savoring its rich sweetness before answering. "Not really. If anything, it makes this visit more interesting—like a limited-time exclusive event."

Raviel smiled softly, watching him. "So, does that mean you plan on enjoying every moment while you can, honey?"

He grinned, tossing the fruit's seeds into a nearby bin. "Bingo. Might as well make the most of it."

Tiamat's lavender eyes lingered on him. "Doesn't it weigh on you, knowing so many people will die?"

Allen exhaled, glancing up at the sky. "It's not that I don't care. But death is a part of life. If humans rely too much on divine intervention, it might hinder their progress in the future."

That was the logical answer. But deep down, he felt a quiet. Even with all his power, there were some things he chose not to change. Guess I'm still human after all.

Raviel, ever perceptive, simply smiled and took his hand. He squeezed hers gently. "Thanks," he murmured. He didn't need to say more—she already understood.

As they walked, Allen's gaze drifted to the statues and towering structures lining the city.

"There are a lot of statues of Hera here," he noted. "This must be her territory."

He glanced around, thinking aloud. "It looks like each island is overseen by a different god or goddess. That would explain why they don't interact with each other much."

Raviel hummed thoughtfully. "That makes sense. That's just how the gods are, isn't it? Always dividing things up among themselves, each ruling over their own domain."

Allen smiled. "Sounds like a fancy version of a territorial dispute. I bet they even argue about borders."

Tiamat tilted her head. "Do gods really argue over things like that?"

"Oh, of course," Raviel said, amused. "Especially when it comes to pride. Gods can be like children—very strong and very dramatic children."

Allen chuckled. "No wonder they act so arrogant and powerful. They've been training for centuries." He paused, then smirked. "But aren't you two goddesses too?"

Raviel and Tiamat froze for a moment before responding in unison, "Hey, don't compare us to them."

Raviel added "And also did you forget~ now you are also a god now ."

Allen laughed. "Alright, alright, I was just kidding."

Raviel, watching him with narrowed eyes, thought about how she would punish his mischievous husband later. She crossed her arms and pouted. "Hmph. Don't blame me if I decide not to let you touch me for the next hundred years."

Allen immediately stiffened, a hint of panic in his eyes. "H-Hey, honey, forgive me! I was just teasing!"

Seeing his reaction, Raviel barely held back a giggle. She wasn't actually mad—just enjoying messing with him.

...

Some time passed as they continued walking through the city.

The deeper they went, the more signs of Hera's influence became apparent. Her statues weren't just decorations; many were inscribed with ancient script, and some of the larger ones had offerings placed at their feet—golden wreaths, fine silk, even mechanical constructs left as tributes. It was clear the citizens held her in high regard.

"Hera seems quite popular around here," Allen observed. "I wonder if she actually interacts with the people or just watches from above like a proper goddess."

"Knowing her, she probably takes a hands-on approach," Raviel mused. "She's the type who wants everything done right, and humans rarely meet divine standards on their own."

Allen let out a short laugh. "Perfectionist, huh? I can already tell she'll be fun to mess with."

"Are you planning on flirting with her?" Raviel raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe," Allen admitted with a grin. "It's not that I'm not interested, but I don't want to take the initiative to approach her." He stretched lazily. "Gotta keep up my reputation."

Raviel shook his head "what reputation.?"

Allen just remained silent and pretended not to hear.

They continued their journey, the golden light of the setting sun casting long shadows across the ancient city. Unlike the crude and practical architecture of early human civilizations, Atlantis felt like a divine art gallery—ornate towers soared into the sky, grand plazas were adorned with golden mosaics, and intricate waterways wove luminous veins throughout the city.

What caught Allen's attention most however, were the automatons—humanoid constructs made of metal and divine energy, moving seamlessly among the people. Some were towering giants stationed near important buildings, while others were smaller, assisting humans with everyday tasks.

Allen scratched his chin. "You know, for a city built by gods, it feels surprisingly... human."

Raviel nodded. "The Machine Gods~ seems like the designed Atlantis to be a beacon for humanity—a place where people could live under divine protection, free from the dangers of the outside world."

As they walked, Allen suddenly noticed something odd. The bustling crowd around them seemed... different.

It wasn't obvious at first, but the way people moved, the way their gazes lingered on him just a moment longer than usual—it all felt off. Whispers trailed behind him, eyes watching him with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue.

He blinked. "Did I do something weird?"

And then, just as suddenly as it came, the feeling vanished. The crowd carried on as normal, laughter and conversation filling the streets once more.

He shrugged, spreading his arms. "Well, no point worrying about it. So, where to next?"

Tiamat, oblivious to the shift in atmosphere, brightened. "Master, there's a market up ahead! We should go!"

Raviel chuckled. "You just want candy, don't you, Tia?"

Tiamat pouted slightly. "I... I can't help it. The food here is really good!"

Allen grinned. "Alright, let's check it out. Who knows, maybe I'll find something fancy to spend my money on."

Meanwhile, deep within the great hall of the Olympian gods, golden eyes watched them—silent, calculating, and undeniably intrigued.

.....

Allen wandered through the market, taking in the sights of exotic goods displayed at every stall. Even though he had seen plenty of magical artifacts and divine creations before, some of the trinkets in Atlantis still caught his interest—like a ring said to let its wearer speak with the gods.

"Interested, sir?" an elderly merchant with a long silver beard asked. "This ring allows its wearer to communicate directly with the gods."

Allen picked up the ring, turning it over in his fingers. "Huh. Feels like I already do that every day."

The merchant chuckled. "Ah, but do they listen?"

Allen let out a small laugh but didn't reply. Before he could decide whether to buy anything, he felt a familiar tug on his sleeve.

"Master, look!"

Tiamat stood beside him, holding a tray of golden pastries. Her violet eyes shone with excitement.

"Are they good?" Allen asked, taking one and popping it into his mouth. His expression shifted slightly in surprise.

"Wow. That's amazing."

Raviel smiled. "See? Even you can still be impressed by the little things, dear."

Allen swallowed and shrugged. "Yeah, yeah. I can appreciate good food." He reached out and playfully ruffled Tiamat's hair. "Good find, Tia."

Tiamat beamed. "I just want to make you happy, Master."

Before he could respond, something changed in the air.

The crowd had subtly parted, forming a clear path through the marketplace. A presence—graceful yet commanding—approached.

A tall woman in white and gold robes walked toward them, her long blonde hair flowing behind her. Her sharp golden eyes held intelligence and authority, and though her divine aura wasn't overwhelming, it was unmistakable.

He recognized her instantly. This was a goddess—Hera.

Raviel, as calm as ever, smiled. "Well, that didn't take long."

Tiamat instinctively moved closer to Allen, protective as always.

Allen, however, simply watched Hera with interest, his expression relaxed.

"I figured I'd meet an Olympian sooner or later," he said. "I just didn't expect you to be the first."

Hera stopped a few feet away, observing him. There was no hostility, just curiosity.

The marketplace grew silent as the presence of the goddess commanded the attention of everyone around. Even the machine constructs momentarily paused their tasks.

"introduce yourself mortal"

Allen, however, remained relaxed.

"Ah, Lady Hera, my name Allen nice to meet you" Allen greeted with an easy smile. "What a coincidence."

Hera crossed her arms, her gaze shifting between Allen, Raviel, and Tiamat. "A mortal, followed by not one, but two divine beings?" Her voice carried a tone of suspicion. "I wish to speak with you, Allen. Follow me."

Allen, without hesitation, shook his head. "Sorry, but I'm busy."

Hera blinked. "Busy?"

"Yes," Allen grinned. "I'm spending time with my wives." He gestured toward Raviel and Tiamat, who both nodded in agreement.

Hera's expression froze for a brief moment before she spoke. "Your… wives?"

There was an awkward silence in the marketplace. The surrounding onlookers, including the merchants, discreetly turned their ears toward the conversation.

Raviel, ever the troublemaker, leaned into Allen and smirked. "Fufu, my dear husband is quite the catch, isn't he?"

Tiamat, in her usual gentle tone, added, "Yes. I have devoted myself to Allen."

Allen gave a thumbs-up. "See? Busy with my wives."

Hera narrowed her eyes, clearly processing the unexpected information. She then scoffed, recovering her composure. "Very well, then they will come with you. You have no excuse now."

Allen sighed, knowing he couldn't avoid Hera's persistence. "Fine, fine, let's go."

As they walked, Hera's curiosity got the better of her. "Tell me, Allen. What exactly are you?"

Allen smirked, his green eyes shimmering slightly. "just a mortal or maybe a god ."

Hera stopped in her tracks, her expression unreadable. "…You admit it so easily?"

Allen chuckled. "Why hide it? You were already suspicious. And besides, I don't see the point in pretending to be a normal mortal."

Hera's gaze sharpened. "A god unlike any I've seen. You do not bear the mark of Olympus, nor do you belong to any pantheon I know."

Allen shrugged. "That's because I'm different. I don't belong to this world's divine system."

Hera studied him carefully, glancing at Raviel and Tiamat. "And they—your wives—serve you?"

Raviel giggled. "Oh, I wouldn't say serve. More like, we adore him."

Tiamat nodded. "Allen is… everything to me."

Hera narrowed her eyes. "A god with the loyalty of a Primordial Goddess… Interesting."

Allen smirked. "I tend to have that effect on women."

Hera scoffed, but a faint smile tugged at her lips. "You're an anomaly, Allen. I will be keeping an eye on you."

Allen simply laughed, completely unfazed. "Be my guest, Lady Hera."

As they continued walking, Hera found herself growing more intrigued by this mysterious god who so openly defied convention. Just who was Allen?.

....

As they walked through the grand streets of Atlantis, the people parted instinctively, bowing their heads at the presence of Hera. The towering structures of white stone gleamed under the sunlight, their intricate designs reflecting the craftsmanship of a civilization thriving under divine rule. Even the machine constructs, humanoid in shape yet unmistakably artificial, stepped aside in perfect unison, acknowledging the presence of an Olympian.

Allen, however, remained unfazed, his attention drifting between the sights and the two women at his side. Tiamat walked with her usual grace, but Raviel—always the troublemaker—was more focused on Allen himself. She clung to his arm slightly, her red eyes twinkling with amusement as she watched Hera's occasional side-glances toward them.

Hera finally broke the silence. "You are far too calm for a mortal in my presence."

Allen chuckled. "I already told you, I'm not a mortal."

Hera scoffed. "Even among gods, respect is expected."

He smirked. "I respect beauty, and since you qualify, I suppose that counts."

Raviel barely held back a laugh, while Tiamat simply tilted her head, as if contemplating his words. Hera, on the other hand, stopped walking altogether. She turned to fully face him, golden eyes narrowing.

"Flattery?" she asked, crossing her arms. "You think that will earn my favor?"

Allen shrugged. "I wasn't trying to. I'm just honest."

For a brief moment, Hera said nothing, her expression unreadable. The onlookers in the streets held their breath, waiting for the goddess's reaction. Then, to their surprise, she let out a small, amused scoff.

"You are either incredibly foolish or dangerously arrogant," she remarked, turning forward again. "But I will admit… you are different from the groveling fools I am used to."

Allen grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Hera didn't respond, but he caught the way her lips twitched slightly upward before she quickly concealed it.

They soon arrived at a grand temple, its towering columns lined with intricate golden inlays. The insignia of Olympus—twelve celestial symbols intertwined—was displayed prominently at the entrance. Guards clad in divine armor stood at attention as Hera led them inside.

Allen took a moment to admire the interior. The temple was vast, its marble floors polished to perfection. Large statues of the Olympians lined the hall, their eyes seeming to watch all who entered. The air carried a faint energy, divine and imposing.

Hera gestured toward a lavish seating area. "Sit. We have much to discuss."

Allen took a seat without hesitation, stretching his legs out casually. Raviel sat beside him, leaning into his shoulder, while Tiamat gracefully settled next to him as well. Hera, watching their closeness, furrowed her brows slightly before regaining her composure.

She sat across from him, her posture regal, fingers interlocked. "Now then… Tell me, Allen. If you are a god, then what is your domain?"

Allen smiled, his green eye turn to golden eyes gleaming mischievously. "What do you think?"

Hera studied him carefully. "You lack the presence of a war god. You do not radiate the authority of a ruler. You do not bear the burden of the underworld." Her gaze flickered toward Raviel and Tiamat. "Yet, you have the loyalty of powerful goddesses. That alone suggests your nature is… unusual."

Allen leaned forward slightly. "You're on the right track."

Hera exhaled through her nose, clearly not pleased with the game he was playing. "Enough riddles. Speak plainly."

Allen chuckled. "Very well." He rested his chin on his hand. "My domain? You could say it's everything."

Silence.

Hera stared at him, searching for any sign of deception. The sheer confidence in his words made it hard to dismiss him outright. A god whose domain was everything? Preposterous. And yet…

Raviel giggled. "Our dear Allen is quite special, isn't he?"

'of course and whose fault is that' thought allen.

Raviel rolled his eyes hearing his thoughts

Tiamat nodded. "He is… beyond comprehension."

He gave them both a thumbs up, Because he likes the compliments.

Hera's fingers tightened slightly on the armrest of her chair. She had encountered many gods in her time—some arrogant, some wise, some foolish. But Allen was different. There was no desperation in his words, no need to prove himself. He spoke as if his power was simply a fact of reality.

And that unsettled her.

"…You are unlike any god I have ever encountered."

Allen just smile. "I just heard that for fist time"

Hera studied him for a moment longer before leaning back in her seat. "Very well, then."

"Then prove it." She said simply.

For the first time, she felt something strange stir within her. Not quite suspicion, not quite wariness—something else. Curiosity. And curiosity killed the cat.

Just who was this man?

And why did she feel as if their fates were only beginning to intertwine?

Allen chuckled. "Oh? You want me to perform some miracles for you, Lady Hera?"

Hera crossed her arms. "A claim without proof is meaningless. If you truly possess divine power, then demonstrate it."

Raviel giggled. "Fufu~ my dear husband is quite powerful, you know." "And Husban you should thank me for this" while winking at Allen. He saw her winking but Allen pretended not to understand.

Tiamat, ever gentle, added, "Hera… Allen is not like other gods."

Hera's gaze sharpened. "Then it shouldn't be difficult for him to prove himself, should it?"

Allen sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. If you want proof, I'll give you proof."

With a snap of his fingers, the entire atmosphere shifted. The air shimmered, and in an instant, the once-clear sky darkened—not ominously, but as if reality itself responded to his will. A faint golden glow radiated from Allen's form, subtle yet undeniably divine.

Meanwhile in the marketplace grew completely silent. Even the mechanical constructs of Atlantis momentarily paused as if acknowledging the presence of something beyond comprehension.

Hera's breath hitched.

This wasn't some mere illusion.

This wasn't some parlor trick.

This was absolute authority.

For the first time in centuries, Hera felt an unfamiliar sensation creeping into her heart—an emotion...

Allen smiled, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. "Satisfied?"

Hera didn't respond immediately. She was too busy processing what she had just witnessed.

Finally, she exhaled slowly, regaining her composure. "Interesting," she admitted, though her expression remained unreadable.

Allen chuckled. "Glad to hear it."

Allen sat comfortably on a marble bench, the golden architecture of Atlantis stretching around him.

Across from him, Hera stood with her arms crossed, watching him with a mixture of curiosity and mild irritation. Their earlier conversation had left her intrigued but unconvinced about his true nature.

Beside him, Raviel and Tiamat flanked him like devoted queens, their presence drawing as much attention as the goddess in front of them.

"I still do not trust you, Allen," Hera admitted, her piercing gaze never leaving his face. "You are an anomaly. You claim divinity, yet you do not bear Olympus or other panteon' authority."

Allen smirked. "And I've already told you, that's because I'm not from Olympus and also i have different systems."

Allen looks relaxed on the outside, but on the inside.

'Should I just admit that I'm from another world? Well, I think it's best not to let it happen, it'll be even more chaotic later.'

Before Hera could respond, a sultry voice interrupted them.

"Oh my~ What's this? A mortal charming my dear Hera?"

Allen turned toward the voice, immediately greeted by a stunning woman with flowing red hair and piercing red eyes. Aphrodite.

She moved with effortless grace, every step exuding divine beauty. The moment she appeared, the air itself seemed to shimmer. The mortals around them stopped and stared, captivated by her presence. Even some of the machine constructs momentarily paused, as if reacting to the sheer power of beauty.

Hera sighed, rubbing her temple. "Aphrodite."

Aphrodite ignored her and focused entirely on Allen, her crimson eyes gleaming with curiosity. "I could hear your conversation from quite a distance. And I must say… I'm intrigued." She gave a teasing smile. "A god who is not of Olympus? How very mysterious."

Allen leaned back lazily, a playful smile forming. "Allen. Just Allen."

Aphrodite giggled. "Oh my~ No fancy titles?"

Allen chuckled. "If you want, you can call me 'your favorite man.'"

Raviel and Tiamat, ever gentle, simply smiled see their husband's behavior.

Hera, however, looked unimpressed. "Ignore him."

Aphrodite, however, seemed amused rather than offended. "Oh? Confident, aren't you?" She leaned in slightly. "Tell me, Allen, are you a god of love?"

Allen tilted his head. "No, but women do seem to love me."

Raviel playfully nudged him. "Fufu~ He's not lying."

Tiamat nodded. "Allen is… very special."

Aphrodite's smile widened. "Hmm~ I like you already."

But before the conversation could continue, another divine presence approached.

"Enough of this," came a firm, commanding voice.

They all turned to see Athena approaching, her silver-white hair catching the light, her gray eyes locked onto Allen with intense scrutiny.

"Athena," Hera muttered.

Athena didn't acknowledge her. Her entire focus was on Allen. "You claim divinity, yet I do not sense Olympus' authority upon you," she stated.

Allen sighed. "Haven't we been through this already?"

Athena's gaze sharpened. "Then prove it."

Aphrodite blinked. "Oh my~ Already jumping to a test?"

Athena ignored her. "A duel," she declared. "I will judge your power through battle."

Allen wants to protest. "You Olympians really love your tests, huh?"

Athena crossed her arms. "A claim without proof is meaningless. If you are truly divine, then demonstrate it."

Allen chuckled. "Well, if that's what you want, I don't mind." It seemed like he was a bit regretful about introducing himself as a god. because now— it had become a bit of a hassle to take care of.

Aphrodite clapped her hands. "Ooh, this is going to be so fun to watch."

With that, Athena turned and led them toward the sacred arena.

A duel was about to begin.

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